How to make a backyard skating rink

Make the most of winter and turn your backyard into a icy wonderland

By Jacqueline Kovacs

When the temperature starts to plummet, Mike Moore starts to think rink. As a kid growing up in St. Catharines, Ontario, Moore used to flood his backyard to make a skating rink, and now the Toronto dad does the same for his own two boys.

“It stems from my kids’ interest in hockey,” he says, “but it’s also just great to have the rink in the backyard because we live in the heart of the city, quite close to the road, so my boys can’t really go play out front in the winter.”

Though Moore has a fair amount of rink-making experience, even a novice can turn a snowy yard into an icy playground the whole family can enjoy. Here are some cool tips for making your own backyard rink:

Weather – or Not?

“If you decide you’re going to do it,” says Moore, “you’ve got to start watching the weather.” Moore usually waits until the temperature has hit -10°C for about four consecutive days. And you’ll need that other Canadian winter classic – snow – for a decent foundation. “One year, I tried to make a rink when it was cold, but there wasn’t any snow,” Moore recalls, “and it just didn’t take.”

Location, Location, Location

Pick a spot – but not just any spot. Preferably, your site will be fairly flat, close to your outdoor tap and, if possible, shaded to decrease potential daytime melting. It doesn’t especially matter if your location of choice is on grass or pavement, but depending what surface you go with, you may want to adjust your technique.

On grass: If you’re worried about damaging your lawn, consider alternating rink areas each year. You could also use a plastic tarp between the grass and the ice to prevent potential problems. But Moore, who has tried both grass and pavement for his rinks over the years, says he’s never had a problem with his lawn come springtime.

On pavement: If you’re using an asphalt driveway, remember that black absorbs the sun’s rays, which may lessen the life of your rink if the winter is full of bright days. Also, if skate blades break through the ice, they could damage your driveway – not to mention the skates. But if you’re set on asphalt, consider spreading a layer of gravel before you start flooding.

If the paved area you want to use is concrete, go for it: It makes a great under-ice surface.

Once you’ve got snow and you’ve got cold, it’s time for you and the kids to get packing – the white stuff, that is. “Take all the existing snow you have and pack it down,” says Moore. “We’re talking two hours in heavy boots.” But you can make it even more fun with skis or snowshoes, whatever it takes to get the kids in on the action and end up with a base thickness of 4 in. (10 cm).

At this point, you’ll also want to build up the sides of your rink with snowbanks at least 24 in. (60 cm) high. (If you want to get really fancy, you can head to your local lumberyard and buy some boards – 2 by 6 in., or 2 by 8 in. – and nails, and make a wood frame around your rink instead.) This gives your rink its borders and the white edges also help to deflect the sun’s rays – particularly helpful on those days when the temperature goes above freezing.

Water, Water Everywhere

Time to open the floodgates? Not exactly. But the next step does initiate the watering phase. “You want to spray the water on the snow base,” explains Moore. “You want to end up with an icy crust because that will hold in the water.” In other words, spray a thin layer of water gradually over your rink until the base starts to get slushy. Then leave it to freeze overnight.

For the next two nights, build up layers of ice by flooding your base. But that doesn’t mean turning on the hose and heading inside for a hot drink. If you do that, you’ll end up with a big hole and a bunch of ripples. “You do have to have some movement when you’re flooding,” confirms Moore. “A jet stream will definitely melt the ice.”

If it’s cold enough – say, -15°C or so – you can likely do two or even three layers (allowing each to freeze) in one night. And don’t worry if your rink isn’t perfectly smooth. “Get the kids out skating on it,” says Moore. “They might complain a bit, but their skating will wear down the small bumps and ripples.”

Do you really have to wait until nighttime to flood? It’s actually a good idea. Even on a cold day, the winter sun can be quite strong, and might cause uneven freezing.

A Spray a Day

After three or four nights of flooding, you’re ready to move into maintenance. Use a snow shovel to scrape the surface clean of all snow, dirt and ice chips before spraying a thin layer of water on your rink every night. Got any cracks? Pack them with snow before you flood. Then, come morning, lace up your skates and glide with your kids through the season’s coldest days, right in your own backyard.

 If your child is keen to skate until he hits the ice, have a look at his skates.

“Most important in learning how to skate is the skates,” says Lynn Hayzelden, owner of Skaters First in Aurora, Ontario. “Parents often buy a skate that’s too big, hoping they’ll get a couple of seasons out of it. But if it’s too big, your child’s balance is thrown off.” Plus, an ill fit means your child is uncomfortable. “If their feet hurt,” Hayzelden points out, “they’re not going to skate.”

Her rule of thumb for a good fit? “Unlace the skate as much as possible and have your child push her foot right up to the front. If you can fit more than one finger in the back, the skate is too big.”

If you’re thinking of buying second-hand, try to find a reputable place from skating instructors or experienced parents. With three- to five-year-olds, says Hayzelden, buying second-hand can be a good value. “They don’t have the weight, nor have they worn the skates long enough to wear them out.” With older kids, though, Hayzelden advises seeking someone who knows what to look for and how to fit skates – especially if they’re resale. Knowledge, it seems, is key.